Your body should not be rigid. Make sure you’re sitting up straight and keeping your shoulders relaxed. Allow your body to communicate with the horse so that you can adjust your balance as you ride. Do not arch your back or hunch. [4] X Research source You may find it helpful to have someone take a photo of you in the saddle so you can see and analyze your own alignment. This allows you and your trainer to critique how you’re sitting and make any changes.
It may be tempting to squeeze the horse with your thighs, calves, or knees. Instead of pressing in on the horse with one part of your leg, each part of your leg should have an even amount of contact with the horse. [5] X Research source
You can alternate your exercises by alternating a two point form with sitting. Try doing seven paces sitting and seven paces in two-point. [8] X Research source
You don’t need to remove the stirrups in order to do this. You can achieve the same effect by crossing the stirrups over the saddle to the opposite side. When you are starting out, you can have someone hold the horse on a long line. If it helps, hold onto your saddle with a few fingers, and practice riding around a ring for ten minutes at a time. [10] X Research source If the horse is not yours or if you do not know the horse you are riding well enough, you may want to try riding with stirrups first before removing them.
Once you have start building up your balance, you can try this exercise while in two-point position. [11] X Research source
One Leg Extension: Lay down on your back. Bend your knees, and keep your feet hips-width apart. Place your hands on your stomach. Raise your head slightly off the floor. Lift one leg up, keeping it straight. Hold for a few breaths before lowering and lifting the other leg. [12] X Research source Full Body Curl: Lay down on the floor with your knees bent. At the same time, lift your head, shoulders, and feet off the floor, bringing your knees towards your chin. Straighten your body until your head, shoulders, and feet are flat on the ground again. Plank: Lay on your belly and then push your body up so that only your forearms and toes touch the floor. Tighten your core and keep your back straight. Hold this position for one minute and then take a quick rest before repeating a few more times. Bicycle Crunch: Lift your legs until they are 45 degrees from the floor. Bend one knee, and hold the other one straight. Raise your shoulders and head off the ground, and touch your opposite elbow to your knee. Lower your head to the ground. Straighten your leg, and bend the other one. Repeat. [13] X Research source
Squats: Keep your back straight and your feet hip-width apart. Lower yourself to a 90-degree angle before slowly rising to a stand again. If you having difficulty, you can start by positioning yourself against a wall. [14] X Research source Skipping: As you skip, push off with one foot and lift the other one high, until your thigh is horizontal. Reach across your body with your opposite arm. Repeat this movement on the opposite leg. You can do this around a track or around your neighborhood. [15] X Research source Quad Stretch: Kneel on the ground with one leg bent in front of you. With your hands on your hips, gently move your hips forward. You should keep your back straight. [16] X Research source
Warrior Pose: Stand straight. Stretch your right foot back behind you as far as you can; this will naturally put you in a lunge position. Stretch your arms straight above your head. Take about five breaths, and repeat with the other leg. [17] X Research source Spinal Twist: Sit with your spine straight, and your shoulders lined up with your hips. Stretch your legs in front of you so that they are flat against the ground. Bend one leg, and place it over the other. Wrap the opposite arm around the bent knee, and twist your body. Hold this pose for five breaths before repeating on the other side. [18] X Research source Pilates and ballet are other great options if you want to improve your core strength and balance. [19] X Research source
